Countdown [Natsu x Reader x Gray]

🎓 Chapter 3 🎓

The first day of senior year was an interesting one.

And so was the first month.

Things have started to calm down between Natsu, Gray, and yourself. They haven't brought up anything love related, which you're thankful for. They've been acting like your best friends, something in which they will always be even when you choose one of them at the end of the school year.

Or if you choose one of them.

Currently, it was after school hours and here you were: at school. You and Gray were waiting outside the gym for Natsu because he decided that he was going to be active during his senior year and try-out for the football team.

You honestly couldn't imagine the pink haired boy playing such a brutal sport, but you weren't going to tell him not to do it, if that's what he wanted to do.

Gray said that he too was going to get active, but he was going to try-out for the wrestling team.

You're glad that they're going to make something of their last year in high school. Maybe they're starting to mature. You thought. Their actions made you want to do something, but you have no idea what you were going to do.

What can you do?

You were brought out of your thoughts by the sound of one of the gym doors opening and Natsu being pushed out.

"Jerk!" Natsu spun around and shouted at the closing door, his eyebrows knitting together intensely and his hands balled up into fists.

"I take it, it didn't go so well." Gray observed, a small smirk on his face.

"Stupid Laxus!" Natsu grumbled, "He thinks he can get away with everything just because his grandfather works here!" He pouted and turned toward you and Gray. "I should be on the team."

"Were you any good?" Gray asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I thought I was!"

"Let me go talk to him." You spoke up.

The boys looked at you, shocked.

"You . ." Gray exclaimed.

". . Talk to Laxus!?" Natsu finished the question.

"Yeah." You responded as if it should have been obvious. "I don't think Laxus will be as cold to me as he is to you guys."

"Why is that?" Natsu asked.

"Because I'm not a guy." You smirked before swiftly walking into the gym.

The smell of musk and sweat hit your nostrils immediately, making your nose crinkle in disgust. Nonetheless, you still continued to find the blond football team captain.

The remaining boys who were trying-out were in the center of the gym, and each one looked nervous as the seniors looked down at them.

Orga, the co-captain, noticed you walk in and tapped Laxus' shoulder and pointed to you. The blond handed his second-in-command a clipboard before approaching you.

"What do you want?" He groaned, obviously not in the mood.

"I'm here on behalf of Natsu-"

"Ugh." He interrupted you, groaning again and adding an eye roll. "Look, tell Natsu he isn't on the team and that's final."

"But why isn't he on the team?"

"Why?" The word was repeated as if it was foreign. "Because he can't play football. He was terrible."

Your jaw dropped at Laxus' comment. Natsu did say he 'thought' he was good. You sighed in your head. "Was he that bad?" You asked.

"He can run, I'll give him that, but he can't catch a football to save his life. You can't have one skill without the other."

You sighed heavily in defeat, "Ok." You turned to exit the gym when Laxus spoke up again. "I'd let him be the mascot, but," He gestured to a green haired boy who was sitting on a bleacher, "Freed's the mascot."

You gave him a small smile before exiting the gym. Immediately, Natsu was in your face.

"How'd it go, (Y/N)?" He asked eagerly.

You internally sighed, not wanting to break his spirits. It's like taking off a bandaid. You reminded yourself. Just do it. "Well, you didn't make the team because Laxus doesn't like you. You didn't make the team because you can't play football."

Gray erupted with laughter, leaning over and clutching his stomach. On the other hand, Natsu looked traumatized.

"I'm sorry, Natsu." You said sincerely, feeling sorry for him.

"Don't worry about it, (Y/N)." He said, grinning - instantly recovered. "I'll just play another sport." He said, "Maybe basketball or track."

"Unless you're terrible at those too!" Gray laughed, a tear slipping out of his eye.

Natsu opened his mouth to shout an insult at Gray, but you spoke before he did.

"Stop it, Gray." You scolded, grabbing him by the ear. He instantly stopped laughing. "Ow, (Y/N), let go!" He demanded.

"Ha! Serves you right!" Natsu taunted at Gray.

In return, you grabbed Natsu's ear and held both boys' ear as you walked down the empty school hallway.

"Ow, (Y/N), no fair!" Natsu whined.

"Shut up, birdbrain!" Gray hissed.

"What did you call me, Elsa?"

You rolled your eyes as you kicked the school's side door open (since your hands were occupied). Here we go again. You thought as Natsu and Gray began to argue amongst each other.

The following day a new student enrolled at Golden Isles High School. A student that took a liking to you rather quickly.

The boy was slightly taller than your two best friends. He had short silver hair and pale skin. He always had a neutral expression on his face and kept to himself like most new students do during their first week.

This boy's name was Zero and all you did was show him a random act of kindness.

You helped him pick up his fallen books when others just walked around him and his mess.

You weren't aware, but that small act meant a lot to Zero.

And soon, you'll find out why.